Maxwell's Letters Home

January 6, 1945 – 2530 – WF

Jan. 6, 1945          2530          WF          R.A.A.B. Reno, NV Winfred has finished ground school and will start flying again; doesn’t like the idea of flying but it will be better than being an instructor – he can be his own boss; hasn’t heard from Cliff but guesses he is enjoying the peculiar English customs; sent another money order to keep up the old reserve; weighs 184; and must close to get some sleep.

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January 4, 1945 – 2520 – WM

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the first letter Winfred sent home to his sister Margaret in 1945. Jan. 4, 1945          2520          WM          R.A.A.B. Reno, NV Winfred writes Margaret while awaiting inspection; two more days of ground school before being checked out in the air; has a 95.5% average plus a 25 W.P.M. code speed – as high as you can get; hopes to get stationed at Memphis and fly the Southern Route to Africa; his war buddies are at Scott Field; hopes for a break and closes to get the wrinkles out of his bed.

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January 3, 1945 (2) – 2510 – CF

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home to the Folks on January 3, 1945; one by each of the boys. Jan. 3*, 1945          2510          CF          Swanage, England Clifford scribbles a V-mail to the Folks; hauled ashes all day; has really enjoyed the rest since leaving Texas; thought it would be good if Winfred was still in Florida; hopes they got the letters he had sent before Christmas – didn’t want them to worry; may change before he is twenty-one; and asks for the latest gossip from Irondale.

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January 3, 1945 (1) – 2500 – WF

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home to the Folks on January 3, 1945; one by each of the boys. Below is the first letter Winfred sent home to the Folks in 1945. Jan. 3, 1945          2500          WF          R.A.A.B. Reno, NV Winfred writes a few lines to the Folks because they had ‘got on him’ about doing so poorly in writing them; has only 3 more days of ground school with a 95+ average & 25 W.P.M. code speed; encloses a money order from has surplus cash and asks about his account; is glad they heard from Cliff and that he is still in England, heard from Lt. Pflug who asks for some 120mm film – Winfred can’t get it at his base so asks his parents if they can get it and send it to Pflug who is now a Captain.

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January 1, 1945 – 2490 – CF

1945 The year begins with Clifford and his 768th Field Artillery Battalion attached to the 30th FA Group stationed in Swanage, England awaiting deployment to the fight going on in France and Western Europe. France has been liberated, and the Allies have advanced near the German border. The Germans have mounted a major offensive to counter the Allies advance. This Battle of the Bulge will be the costliest battle of the war for the Americans. U.S. forces will suffer 100,000 casualties including 23,000 missing and over 19,000 killed. The battle lasted from December 16, 1944 until January 25, 1945. Winfred, having returned from his time serving in Europe, is still finishing up advanced radio training/navigation at R.A.A.B. (Reno Army Air Base) near Reno, Nevada. He awaits his assignment to the Air Transport Command where it appears he will be headed to the Pacific. EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the first letter/V-mail sent home by Clifford in 1945. Jan. 1, 1945          2490          CF          Swanage, England Clifford tells the Folks in a V-mail he is behind in his correspondence again; had turkey for Christmas and New Years; heard that his cousin James will be getting married soon; and needs them to send him a watch – right away.

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December 25, 1944 (2) – 2480 -CF

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the second of the last two letters sent home by the boys in 1944. On Christmas Day, Winfred sent a letter to his sister Margaret, and Clifford sent a V-mail to the Folks. Dec. 25, 1944          2480          CF          Swanage, England Clifford tells the Folks in a V-mail it is Christmas Day and he just finished a big turkey dinner; guesses all the relatives are together; this is the third Christmas he has been away from home – hopes it’s the last; hopes they have received some of the letters he has sent by now; hopes they don’t worry about him over the holidays; is sitting by the fireplace – it is cold outside; there are only 3 in a room with a bath; doesn’t seem like Christmas but it will be like that everywhere until the war is over; and enjoys the letters from dad. This is the Last of the 1944 Letters Home

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December 25, 1944 (1) – 2470 – WM

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is one of the last two letters sent home by the boys in 1944. On Christmas Day, Winfred sent a letter to his sister Margaret, and Clifford sent a V-mail to the Folks. Dec. 25, 1944          2470          WM          R.A.A.B. Reno, NV Winfred writes Margaret on Christmas morning while everyone else is still in the sack; never ate yesterday due to a sick stomach from something he ate at the mess hall; better today; would sure like to be home for Xmas; is concerned about Cliff – hopes he doesn’t end up on the Western Front; will be at the Reno base for a couple more months; halfway through school now with a nice average; maybe he can get a furlough when he leaves there; wishes them a merry Xmas and thanks them for the nice package.

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December 20, 1945 – 2460 – CF

Dec. 20, 1944          2460          CF          Swanage, England Clifford sends a V-mail to his Folks while he has a chance; it’s cold there; he’s taking it easy; received five letters yesterday; liked Patsy’s picture; asks for Cousin Jr. or anyone else’s address that may be there; tells mom he would sure like to be home for Christmas to get a tree and watch Patsy’s eyes bug out.

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December 18, 1944 – 2450 – CMom

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the only item sent home by either of the boys addressed to their mother. Clifford sends his change of address form to his mother Cressie. Dec. 18, 1944* Approx.          2450          CF          Swanage, England Clifford sends a V-mail change of address form to his mother Cressie.

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December 17, 1944 (2) – 2440 – CF

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home on December 17, 1944; one by Winfred to Margaret, and one by Clifford to the Folks. Dec. 17, 1944 (2)         2440          CF         Swanage, England Clifford writes his first letter home (that we have) to his Folks from England. Yesterday he received their letter dated Nov. 30th (the first letter he has received since getting to England). He had a pass to London, and it will be something to remember; wonders if Winfred got there very often; there’s a lot he would like to say but it will have to wait until he gets home (his letters are censored now). He is used to the climate as it is like Fort Worden, WA (where he was first stationed in 1943); Patsy Ann is in a Christmas play this year – reminds him of the swell time he had in school, seems like a lifetime ago (Clifford graduated 2 ½ years ago). He had always wanted to travel but has had enough; asks for Winfred’s address; closes asking Mom to write; will write when he can.

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